When I woke up this morning, the first thing I did was open my iPad and start drawing. While drawing, the word “Rejoice” came to mind and I immediately knew it was the word/quote for today. It was a word that needed to be shared.
Today, I’m rejoicing because I’ve decided to continue moving forward with blogging daily. Yes.. I’m celebrating my decision. Y’all, I remember how I struggled to blog for 100 consecutive days, then 150. When I made it to 200 days, I really wanted to quit. Believe me, the struggle was real. However, I kept going. Now, blogging daily is like second nature. So going back and starting over just isn’t an option. I have to keep going.
Decided to use the quote that initially accompanied the graphic. It’s a much needed reminder that I control the pen that’s writing my story.
Lately, I’ve been warring between disconnecting so that I can fully recharge or staying connected so that I won’t lose connections. There’s this fear of starting over and disappointing others that has me hesitant to disconnect, yet I know it’s necessary.
Today will be my 459th consecutive blog. Believe me, ending this streak is one of the most difficult decisions I have to make. And social media… Listen, I can’t even begin to describe how difficult it’s going to be logging off social media. Sadly, it’s become an integral part of my life. Y’all, I have upcoming events and community information to share on Mississippi Thriving. I have content to post for Nutrition with LaShaundreaB. Daily posts for Shaun’s Daily Inspiration. Morning greetings for my sistas in We Are Sistas. Sunday tweets with my e-church family during Sunday service. Shows and movies to promote. Issues to support. Y’all, there’s so much that I do– that I LOVE doing– that I’m finding it difficult to take a break from. Honestly, I feel like I’m abandoning my friends, followers and community– as if I’m abandoning my tribe.
Side Note: I believe I have blogged about this before, but until recently (like a year or so ago), I suffered from abandonment issues. I always felt like those I cared about most would abandon me. Well, it’s the same way I feel about disconnecting to recharge. Even though I know I’m not abandoning anyone, I don’t want them to feel as if I am. I know that probably sounds a bit crazy, but the fear of abandonment so real.
Well, with everything said…
Y’all, I need to press pause and take an indefinite break. I need to take a moment to fully recharge. Operating on half empty just isn’t working anymore. I know it may sound like farewell, but it’s not. I assure you that I will return.
Being transparent has its limits. Our lives were never meant to be an open book for all to read. Knowing when, what and with whom to share is vital. I’ve finally realized everyone can’t handle our truth, only a select few.♥️ ~Shaun
“God is the joy and the strength of my life. He removes all pain, misery and strife. He promised to keep me. Never to leave me. He’ll never ever fall short of His word… God is my all and all.” Amen ~ Shaun
Y’all, I have been so busy since I made it home from house sitting. Seems like I haven’t had a chance to catch my breath. I would provide details but at the moment, I’m a little too tired. However, I will tell you this.
My son is officially a freshman in college!
Which means he’s already testing his independence and boundaries. Friday, I moved him into the dorms. Yesterday, he was already exploring the campus. Yesterday around noon, I received a text from him informing me that he was going out to eat with friends. Umm.. What friends? I didn’t ask. Just texted back “Okay” and “Separate checks.” He said that was the plan. Well, that was around lunchtime. Tried calling him several hours later and got the “The person you’re trying to reach is not available at this time” message. I already knew his phone was dead. I didn’t panic. Told myself he would reach out soon, and he did. Well, that was around 6 PM.
Around 10:30 PM, I receive a text from my daughter asking if I thought my son accidentally blocked her because all of her iMessages were turning green. Of course I didn’t think that he had so I did something I guess she hadn’t tried, I called him. Well… I got the same lovely message again. This time I was a bit concerned. Not because I believed something was wrong but because he was being irresponsible. Around midnight I get a call from him apologizing saying he didn’t know his phone had died. I assured him that it was okay, but definitely not okay. I also told him that his sister was worried so he called her.
Before I went to bed, I texted him to see if he was okay and told him that I was happy he was having fun. Y’all, this is someone who’s on his phone almost every waking hour of the day and he had no idea his phone was dead. So he was really enjoying himself, which made me smile.
I believe he’s learned his lesson. Well, at least I hope he has. I am so looking forward to guiding him through this next phase of life. I know it may be challenging at times; however, I’m confident that God will give me the patience, wisdom and tools needed to make it to the next phase.
Thanks for reading! Wishing you a wonderful, relaxing week.
Whatever OR whoever controls your thoughts controls you. Don’t believe me? Watch your actions. Whether noticeable to others or not, your actions will always tell the truth.♥️ ~ Shaun
Heartbroken? Disappointed? Feeling BLAH? OR Just need to cry? Listen, do it because life is hard and your tears will NEVER be wasted. They will either water something new, revive something you believed was dying, or cleanse your soul (gem from my 8th grade Spanish teacher☺️). So cry! Believe me, you’ll feel sooo much better afterwards.♥️ ~ Shaun
Last week I experienced another major life shift. Unlike nine years ago, I felt the shift and didn’t panic. I felt it and actually smiled.
You see, when I turned 40, my life began to change. Actually.. it began to unravel. I can even tell you when the shift happened. It was on my 40th birthday. I was disappointed because my birthday was not what I had always imagined– wasn’t even close. I know it sounds shallow but it was a big deal, a very big deal. Honestly, I tried to convince myself that I could live with the disappointment, but I couldn’t. All I could think about was a life of being asked to be content with disappointments. This prompted me to ask myself, “Shaun, where do you see yourself in ten years?”. I also asked my ex the same. Well.. guess what?! We are both exactly where we said we saw ourselves being. Hmm… life is interesting.
I didn’t see it then, but I see it now, that was when my marriage actually ended.
So that was a major shift.
Well, last week, after returning home, I felt another shift. I thought I was returning home to the babies I had left. Yeah.. I know, they are not babies but they will always be my babies. Anyhoo.. I returned home to two young adults. Adults who had been doing their own thing while I was gone. I’m not going to lie, it took me a minute to adjust to the change, but only a minute. When I finally accepted that things had changed, I was like, “I like this.”
Listen, I’m smiling as I write because I spent the last year wondering how I would survive being an empty nester. Wondering what life would be like with only myself to care for. Well, I can happily and confidently say, I’m gonna be alright. I’m so looking forward to this next chapter.
Some treasures cannot be bought. Treasures like– memories made with loved ones; saved letters, notes, or texts; or pictures that continue to warm your heart or make you smile every time you see them. Yes, these treasures cannot be bought.♥️ ~ Shaun
How are you waiting? With or without expectation? You know, “Whatever happens, happens,” OR “I’m expecting exceedingly abundantly above all that I ask or think.”
Me. I’m doing the latter. I’m EXPECTING great things to happen!💃🏽♥️
It’s Shaun’s World 
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